The Circuit of Wales unveiled the Extreme Sports Company as its new business partner in its bid to build the £425M ($527M) facility near Ebbw Vale, according to Sarah Dickins of the BBC. Extreme runs events and has an online sports channel with a reach in 68 countries. As well as the motorbike circuit, new proposals include mountain bike trails, a BMX park, concerts and indoor skiing. The Circuit of Wales "promises to create up to 6,000 jobs in the unemployment blackspot" of Blaenau Gwent by building a track with hotels and business units. This proposes "more sports and leisure, including trampolining, a skate park, virtual reality zone, surf park and stages for live music." Circuit of Wales CEO Martin Whitaker said, "The circuit aims to provide much more than a racing facility; it will be a 365-day leisure and business destination" (BBC, 1/5). In Cardiff, Tom Houghton reported the plans for the track "were revised last year after the Welsh Government rejected a request" to underwrite 100% of the project. A second proposal requiring 75% support "was also rejected however the developers are now working on a proposal" they say only needs the Welsh Government to underwrite 50% of the value. However, Economy Minister Ken Skates said that he is waiting for a "fully developed business case that he can support" (WALES ONLINE, 1/5). In Newport, Steven Prince reported the people behind the plan claim it is the "largest privately-funded infrastructure project in Wales" and "the most significant capital investment program in automotive, motorsport and extreme sport infrastructure" in the U.K. within the last 50 years. They hope it will attract an estimated 750,000 visitors per year once completed and bring an estimated £50M ($62M) into the Welsh economy per year (SOUTH WALES ARGUS, 1/5).
